Ebony Magazine was celebrating the 25th anniversary of ADW and I saw this cast Photo with her. I never remember seeing her on the show

^ Yep, that's definitely her in the picture. I don't ever remember seeing her on the show either. Strange. :confused:

^ Yep, that's definitely her in the picture. I don't ever remember seeing her on the show either. Strange. :confused:


Yeah I was looking at the picture like, when the hell was she on there?:lol:

Must have been have been during Denise FRESHMAN YEAR:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Yeah I was looking at the picture like, when the hell was she on there?:lol:

Must have been have been during Denise FRESHMAN YEAR:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

She wasn't a big character, she only had a few lines.

She wasn't a big character, she only had a few lines.


Had to be during the 1986-87 school year

She wasn't a big character, she only had a few lines.
Apparently, she wasn't much of a character at all. I don't remember ever seeing her. My favorite was Jallesa.

Had to be during the 1986-87 school year

I'm thinking that she was in the background some. I don't know why they would even have her in a promotion type picture because she wasn't part of the cast. Doesn't make sense.

Apparently, she wasn't much of a character at all. I don't remember ever seeing her. My favorite was Jallesa.


Maybe her episode isn't in syndication LOL

THOMASE WE NEED YOUR INPUT!!!!!!

It looks like an episode with the cast in this photo including Vernee Watson-Johnson as resident director and Ted Ross as the dean, and without the characters of Whitley or Dwayne, was the original pilot and first aired on NBC in July 1988.

It looks like an episode with the cast in this photo including Vernee Watson-Johnson as resident director and Ted Ross as the dean, and without the characters of Whitley or Dwayne, was the original pilot and first aired on NBC in July 1988.


So it's probably not in syndication since I never seen her on the show

So it's probably not in syndication since I never seen her on the show
It's in syndication or at least it was because I saw the episode when ADW first went into syndication in the 1990's. If I remember correctly she is in the opening credits.

It's in syndication or at least it was because I saw the episode when ADW first went into syndication in the 1990's. If I remember correctly she is in the opening credits.


Now I know for a fact i never seen her in the openings credits:lol:

is that what they call.........."First run syndication?":lol:

It's in syndication or at least it was because I saw the episode when ADW first went into syndication in the 1990's. If I remember correctly she is in the opening credits.

If that is true then I don't remember that episode at all, I don't recall her in any opening credits.

If that is true then I don't remember that episode at all, I don't recall her in any opening credits.


Probably was only seen in on NBC reruns

Probably was only seen in on NBC reruns
No it was seen in local syndication. I never watched the first season of ADW on NBC. I'm not sure if VWJ was in the opening credits but Ted Ross was. I just checked and it was episode 22 "My Dinner With Theo." Malcolm Jamal-Warner guest stars. Jasmine Guy and kadeem Hardison were not even in the cast in this episode.

No it was seen in local syndication. I never watched the first season of ADW on NBC. I'm not sure if VWJ was in the opening credits but Ted Ross was. I just checked and it was episode 22 "My Dinner With Theo." Malcolm Jamal-Warner guest stars. Jasmine Guy and kadeem Hardison were not even in the cast in this episode.


I don't think ADW ever aired in local syndication here in philly.

I don't think ADW ever aired in local syndication here in philly.
It only aired on one local channel and I think it only aired there for about a year. I didn't start watching ADW until season 2 because I was angry that NBC moved Family Ties so I boycotted it. lol I didn't really see much of season one until syndication. I still think that's the weakest season.

It only aired on one local channel and I think it only aired there for about a year. I didn't start watching ADW until season 2 because I was angry that NBC moved Family Ties so I boycotted it. lol I didn't really see much of season one until syndication. I still think that's the weakest season.


Yeah I only saw ADW on cable.


Yeah season 1 is kind of weak I agree due to the characters

THOMASE WE NEED YOUR INPUT!!!!!!


Vernee Watson was the dorm director in this pilot episode "My dinner with Theo. Phyllis Yvonne Stickney who is also in the picture was featured in the Hillman episode of "The Cosby Show" from 1986-1987. This aired a a leftover episode from the summer of 1988. ADW went through various changes and had a weak start. There was even one episode that had Loretta Devine's character "Stevie" as dorm director but Denise still made reference to Vernee's character "Carla" in the show as though she was still dorm director. Portions of that ep were filmed around the time Vernee Watson was still in the role. When the show made some changes, some scenes were reshot and edited with the previous footage.

The episode where Denise runs track was shot out of order. You hear her make reference to Carla in it but Loretta Devine's (Stevie) name appears in the opening. Whitley originally was not in this episode but a tag scene with her and Denise was later shot. You can tell this scene was added in months after attempting to film the episode. 1) Denise's hair was curly throughout the episode but when her scene with Whitley aired, her hair was straight. 2) The lighting for the Denise/Whitley scene in the dorm common area was different from the rest of the scenes that were filmed in the dorm common area. 3) Also, like I already said, Carla's name was mentioned but Vernee's name wasn't even in the credits but Stevie's was.

The My dinner with Theo ep was shot at different times. Late Spring/Early summer of 1987, the scenes with Theo visiting Denise in the dorm were shown. Theo's voice was also a tad more high pitched. Now, the phone scene where Denise is talking to Theo and is asking him to come visit, his voice is deeper and he is wearing a high top fade with no hair on sides of his head. Next scene, he is at the dorm and his hairstyle is different with more hair on the sides and voice is a bit higher. Plus, his scenes on the phone looked like they were shot with better quality during sesaon four of The Cosby Show while the rest of the scenes from the ep were obviously shot at the end of season three of "The Cosby Show". These were some serious inconsistencies. :confused: :rolleyes:

Vernee Watson was the dorm director in this pilot episode "My dinner with Theo. Phyllis Yvonne Stickney who is also in the picture was featured in the Hillman episode of "The Cosby Show" from 1986-1987. This aired a a leftover episode from the summer of 1988. ADW went through various changes and had a weak start. There was even one episode that had Loretta Devine's character "Stevie" as dorm director but Denise still made reference to Vernee's character "Carla" in the show as though she was still dorm director. Portions of that ep were filmed around the time Vernee Watson was still in the role. When the show made some changes, some scenes were reshot and edited with the previous footage.

The episode where Denise runs track was shot out of order. You hear her make reference to Carla in it but Loretta Devine's (Stevie) name appears in the opening. Whitley originally was not in this episode but a tag scene with her and Denise was later shot. You can tell this scene was added in months after attempting to film the episode. 1) Denise's hair was curly throughout the episode but when her scene with Whitley aired, her hair was straight. 2) The lighting for the Denise/Whitley scene in the dorm common area was different from the rest of the scenes that were filmed in the dorm common area. 3) Also, like I already said, Carla's name was mentioned but Vernee's name wasn't even in the credits but Stevie's was.

The My dinner with Theo ep was shot at different times. Late Spring/Early summer of 1987, the scenes with Theo visiting Denise in the dorm were show. Theo's voice was also a tad more high pitched. Now, the phone scene where Denise is talking to Theo Denise is asking Theo to come visit, his voice is deeper and he is wearing a high top fade. Next scene, he is at the dorm and his hairstyle is different with more hair on the sides and voice is a bit higher. Plus, his scenes on the phone looked like they were shot with better quality during sesaon four of The Cosby Show while the rest of the scenes from the ep were obviously shot at the end of season three of "The Cosby Show". These were some serious inconsistencies. :confused: :rolleyes:



So has TV One aired the episode with Vernee Watson?

Vernee Watson was the dorm director in this pilot episode "My dinner with Theo. Phyllis Yvonne Stickney who is also in the picture was featured in the Hillman episode of "The Cosby Show" from 1986-1987. This aired a a leftover episode from the summer of 1988. ADW went through various changes and had a weak start. There was even one episode that had Loretta Devine's character "Stevie" as dorm director but Denise still made reference to Vernee's character "Carla" in the show as though she was still dorm director. Portions of that ep were filmed around the time Vernee Watson was still in the role. When the show made some changes, some scenes were reshot and edited with the previous footage.

The episode where Denise runs track was shot out of order. You hear her make reference to Carla in it but Loretta Devine's (Stevie) name appears in the opening. Whitley originally was not in this episode but a tag scene with her and Denise was later shot. You can tell this scene was added in months after attempting to film the episode. 1) Denise's hair was curly throughout the episode but when her scene with Whitley aired, her hair was straight. 2) The lighting for the Denise/Whitley scene in the dorm common area was different from the rest of the scenes that were filmed in the dorm common area. 3) Also, like I already said, Carla's name was mentioned but Vernee's name wasn't even in the credits but Stevie's was.

The My dinner with Theo ep was shot at different times. Late Spring/Early summer of 1987, the scenes with Theo visiting Denise in the dorm were shown. Theo's voice was also a tad more high pitched. Now, the phone scene where Denise is talking to Theo and is asking him to come visit, his voice is deeper and he is wearing a high top fade with no hair on sides of his head. Next scene, he is at the dorm and his hairstyle is different with more hair on the sides and voice is a bit higher. Plus, his scenes on the phone looked like they were shot with better quality during sesaon four of The Cosby Show while the rest of the scenes from the ep were obviously shot at the end of season three of "The Cosby Show". These were some serious inconsistencies. :confused: :rolleyes:


THAT episode was suppose to be some kind of pilot? It just doesn't seem like a pilot episode, doesn't fit to me. Strange

So has TV One aired the episode with Vernee Watson?


Yes, it's part of season 1. If you watch it, it doesn't seem like a pilot at all.

So has TV One aired the episode with Vernee Watson?


I believe so. She only had one scene.

Plus, the reason why sesaon one was so weak is because of the Square Pegs Producer Anne Beatts. Even the cast members say so.

Yes, it's part of season 1. If you watch it, it doesn't seem like a pilot at all.


And you saw Vernee?

And you saw Vernee?

Yes.

THAT episode was suppose to be some kind of pilot? It just doesn't seem like a pilot episode, doesn't fit to me. Strange

You have to understand that this show was inconsistent in the beginning. It was reported that about three or four eps were filmed and they realized they were in trouble. Characters Dwayne and Whitley were eventually added into some of the eps that were already filmed.

1) My dinner with Theo (Vernee Watson in this one) was one of the first episodes.

2) That episode with Denise running track was another early ep with reference to Vernee's character Carla.

3) The ep used as the pilot was when Denise's check for her dorm fees bounced while Maggie moved in. This pilot ep was used as the second episode.

4) Then you have the actual episode which was most likely filmed after the first three that I mentioned. The hairstyles in the ep favor later episodes in consistency.

So, you see? There were several "first" episodes. LOL.

You have to understand that this show was inconsistent in the beginning. It was reported that about three or four eps were filmed and they realized they were in trouble. Characters Dwayne and Whitley were eventually added into some of the eps that were already filmed.

1) My dinner with Theo (Vernee Watson in this one) was one of the first episodes.

2) That episode with Denise running track was another early ep with reference to Vernee's character Carla.

3) The ep used as the pilot was when Denise's check for her dorm fees bounced while Maggie moved in. This pilot ep was used as the second episode.

4) Then you have the actual episode which was most likely filmed after the first three that I mentioned. The hairstyles in the ep favor later episodes in consistency.

So, you see? There were several "first" episodes. LOL.



Sound like somebody should have been fired:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

You have to understand that this show was inconsistent in the beginning. It was reported that about three or four eps were filmed and they realized they were in trouble. Characters Dwayne and Whitley were eventually added into some of the eps that were already filmed.

1) My dinner with Theo (Vernee Watson in this one) was one of the first episodes.

2) That episode with Denise running track was another early ep with reference to Vernee's character Carla.

3) The ep used as the pilot was when Denise's check for her dorm fees bounced while Maggie moved in. This pilot ep was used as the second episode.

4) Then you have the actual episode which was most likely filmed after the first three that I mentioned. The hairstyles in the ep favor later episodes in consistency.

So, you see? There were several "first" episodes. LOL.

Well the pilot episode that we all know now, looks like a pilot because we see Denise moving into the Dorms and how she didn't get off on the right foot with Jaleesa. That Vernee episode just does not scream Pilot.

Sound like somebody should have been fired:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In 1988, somebody was: ANNE BEATTS! LOL. When Phylicia Rashad came to L.A. to do her first episode with the show, she made some observations and came back to NY and told Mr. Cosby that "you name is on this and there are some things that are not right". He then gave her power to fire anybody that needed to be in order to fix the issue. Phylicia Rashad recommended her sister Debbie Allen for the role of Producer. When he had a conference call meeting with Debbie, he addressed her as "Ms. Trash". LOL. This information is from Mrs. Rashad herself from the "E" special about A Different World.

Sound like somebody should have been fired:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


The writing just wasn't great in the first season. Debbie and Cosby saved the show, I think personally.

In 1988, somebody was: ANNE BEATTS! LOL. When Phylicia Rashad came to L.A. to do her first episode with the show, she made some observations and came back to NY and told Mr. Cosby that "you name is on this and there are some things that are not right". He then gave her power to fire anybody that needed to be in order to fix the issue. Phylicia Rashad recommended her sister Debbie Allen for the role of Producer. When he had a conference call meeting with Debbie, he addressed her as "Ms. Trash". LOL. This information is from Mrs. Rashad herself from the "E" special about A Different World.


Why was she referred to as Ms. Trash?

The writing just wasn't great in the first season. Debbie and Cosby saved the show, I think personally.


My cousin hates the 1st season because of Denise. She hates the cosby show and anything that is connected to:lol: :lol: :lol:

Well the pilot episode that we all know now, looks like a pilot because we see Denise moving into the Dorms and how she didn't get off on the right foot with Jaleesa. That Vernee episode just does not scream Pilot.


That ep when Denise and Jalessa have a falling is NOT the pilot. By the time it was filmed they all finally got it together with casting people. It was simply shot and aired as the first episode. That episode with Vernee was definitely shot before that ep with Denise moved out of her room and bunked with Whitley. Plus, the pilot show for a TV show doesn't always start off with a chapter 1 beginning. I.E. "Mama's Family. The pilot ep was when Vint's friend Claude hocked Mama's silver. When the show was picked up, an actual episode with Vint and his kids move in was filmed and packaged as episode one for story continuity while the pilot ep aired as the second (or third) episode.

Why was she referred to as Ms. Trash?

IMO, I think it was because Debbie is sassy and has a big mouth. He affectionately called her that. LOL.

The writing just wasn't great in the first season. Debbie and Cosby saved the show, I think personally.


Well, that was because of Anne Beatts' "Square Pegs formula". Ms. Beatts took the zany storylines from Square Pegs and tried to incorporate them into A Different World. Dawn Lewis said the ADW characters were like "Junior Square Pegs". LOL. Debbie Allen was not impressed with with storylines about babysitting eggs and others from season one. LOL

Well, that was because of Anne Beatts' "Square Pegs formula". Ms. Beatts took the zany storylines from Square Pegs and tried to incorporate them into A Different World. Dawn Lewis said the ADW characters were like "Junior Square Pegs". LOL. Debbie Allen was not impressed with with storylines about babysitting eggs and others from season one. LOL

But wasn't it going to get Cancelled and Cosby had to go to the network and basically beg to give the show another shot once he hired Debbie?

But wasn't it going to get Cancelled and Cosby had to go to the network and basically beg to give the show another shot once he hired Debbie?


Now, I never heard anything about it being canceled. I just know that Mr. Cosby was ready to clean house to improve the quality of the show. Debbie took over and didn't fire anyone. Marisa Tomei from what I heard was fired by the head honchos although Debbie was ready to do storylines around her and Dwayne. The cast liked working with Ms. Allen as she allowed them input regarding their characters and other things.

Now, I never heard anything about it being canceled. I just know that Mr. Cosby was ready to clean house to improve the quality of the show. Debbie took over and didn't fire anyone. Marisa Tomei from what I heard was fired by the head honchos although Debbie was ready to do storylines around her and Dwayne. The cast liked working with Ms. Allen as she allowed them input regarding their characters and other things.

I think it was on E! True Hollywood episode. I believe it was said that even though the ratings were great, that the network didn't like the direction of the show and that after Cosby hired Debbie, he had to go and beg the networks to give the show another shot.

I think it was on E! True Hollywood episode. I believe it was said that even though the ratings were great, that the network didn't like the direction of the show and that after Cosby hired Debbie, he had to go and beg the networks to give the show another shot.


I can buy that.

There were theories that people were not ready for a black college experience on television, hence making the school more diverse during the first season. That was a major inconsistency, on the Cosby Show, it always appeared that Hillman was a HBCU. To see all these white students at a black college was funny to say the least.

But yep, it did seem that ADW had several 'first' episodes, it seemed like the show had to really find its footing. The 2nd season on out, the show was more like college. Season 1 felt like an open campus high school. I really wished they would have kept Marissa Tomei. To see storylines with her and Dwayne would have been interesting. I always felt that Denise and Dwayne would have gotten married. It seemed like they were trying to test the waters for them two to start dating one another.

The episode has been featured in syndication. It aired locally in Atlanta and I saw it on Oxygen several times when they aired the show. Nick At Nite aired the shows as well. I know many people who skip the first season episodes when they see them, lol. The episodes are on the DVD as well.

I can buy that.

It does sound believable. There have been plenty of shows that rated well and were canceled after one season. Other cases, there were major changes done when the show came back for season two. Hanging With Mr. Cooper was more adult oriented in Season 1 and when it moved to TGIF, it became more kid/family friends. The Jackee backdoor pilot rated high and was not picked up.

It does sound believable. There have been plenty of shows that rated well and were canceled after one season. Other cases, there were major changes done when the show came back for season two. Hanging With Mr. Cooper was more adult oriented in Season 1 and when it moved to TGIF, it became more kid/family friends. The Jackee backdoor pilot rated high and was not picked up.


Guess Jackee lost too much of the Cosby Show audience which was number 1 at the time

There were theories that people were not ready for a black college experience on television, hence making the school more diverse during the first season. That was a major inconsistency, on the Cosby Show, it always appeared that Hillman was a HBCU. To see all these white students at a black college was funny to say the least.

But yep, it did seem that ADW had several 'first' episodes, it seemed like the show had to really find its footing. The 2nd season on out, the show was more like college. Season 1 felt like an open campus high school. I really wished they would have kept Marissa Tomei. To see storylines with her and Dwayne would have been interesting. I always felt that Denise and Dwayne would have gotten married. It seemed like they were trying to test the waters for them two to start dating one another.

The episode has been featured in syndication. It aired locally in Atlanta and I saw it on Oxygen several times when they aired the show. Nick At Nite aired the shows as well. I know many people who skip the first season episodes when they see them, lol. The episodes are on the DVD as well.

I have to disagree somewhat. I think that "We" as the audience pictured Hillman as a HBCU only because Claire, Cliff and Russel all attended the school. It was never said on Cosby (at least I don't recall) that Hillman was a HBCU.

Guess Jackee lost too much of the Cosby Show audience which was number 1 at the time

NBC canceled The Single Guy and it aired between Friends and Cheers. The show was in the Top 10 but lost a major chunk of its audience between Friends and Cheers.

Many people have speculated that ADW relied heavily on the Cosby Show to stay alive. The one and only year it had to stand on its own, it flopped.

I have to disagree somewhat. I think that "We" as the audience pictured Hillman as a HBCU only because Claire, Cliff and Russel all attended the school. It was never said on Cosby (at least I don't recall) that Hillman was a HBCU.

Point taken, I guess it was assumed on my part and that of many others. Ironically, Theo ended up going to NYU I think on the show. Also, didn't Sondra go to Hillman previously?

Point taken, I guess it was assumed on my part and that of many others. Ironically, Theo ended up going to NYU I think on the show. Also, didn't Sondra go to Hillman previously?

No Sondra went to Princeton.

NBC canceled The Single Guy and it aired between Friends and Cheers. The show was in the Top 10 but lost a major chunk of its audience between Friends and Cheers.

Many people have speculated that ADW relied heavily on the Cosby Show to stay alive. The one and only year it had to stand on its own, it flopped.


That's the only reason ADW survived and I think Bill Cosby wanted it that way.

I have to disagree somewhat. I think that "We" as the audience pictured Hillman as a HBCU only because Claire, Cliff and Russel all attended the school. It was never said on Cosby (at least I don't recall) that Hillman was a HBCU.

Exactly!!! It could have went either way.